Den amerikanske drøm
Name: Andreas Hansen & Gwatoh Kroma
Origin: Denmark & Liberia, Vest Africa
Age: 26 & 27
Years in US: 3 & 15 years
Jeg har to gode venner i Atlanta, som jeg besøger nu og
da. Jeg lærte dem at kende efter et 3 måneders ophold
i byen tilbage i 2006. Atlanta er en fantastisk by der til den dag i dag stadig tiltrækker mange immigranter. Her mærker man virkelig det der er kendetegnet ved USA; mennesker af alle nationaliteter der valfarter hertil for at skabe sig en ny tilværelse og prøve lykken. Det er mine to venner gode eksempler på. Jeg har sat dem stævne om deres amerikanske drøm.
What is your story, why did you move to USA?
Andreas Hansen: After graduating college at Copenhagen Business School in the summer of 2005 I was fortunate to land an internship with the Danish Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta, Georgia. The internship was to last a year and I was to come back to Denmark after that but with a hidden agenda that should I get the chance to stay and work for a decent company in a decent job I would grasp the chance in a heartbeat. I was fortunate enough for that to happen, I landed a job and a 3 year work visa with the possibility of extending it after that. I have now been in Atlanta for three years and I certainly aim to stay and work in the US for a long long time.
Gwatoh Kroma: I was born and raised in Liberia, West Africa. Due to civil unrest in Liberia, my family and I moved to the United States. I am currently living and working in Atlanta, GA as a Software Consultant.
What is your (American) dream?
Andreas Hansen: My view on the American Dream is that anything is possible and for the person who gives it his/her all the sky is the limit. I wanted to live and work in a country where hard and good work was truly rewarded. The entrepreneur mentality in the US truly inspires me, if you have a dream and a plan, there is really not that much holding you back from trying to live it out!
Gwatoh Kroma: That is such a great question. “The American Dream” is something that foreigners call success in the US. My dream is to establish a non-profit organization which helps to bridge the technology gap.
How is (daily) life here?
Andreas Hansen: I live by the concept of working hard and playing hard. The hours are long at work but when you have time off you truly have time off. Due to the great possibilities of outsourcing so many things in your daily life (drycleaners are very affordable so less washing and ironing, eating out is cheaper comparatively so less grocery shopping and less cleaning, manual labor the same, so if anything big needs fixing around the house one doesn’t think twice about hiring professionals, etc) one truly has time to enjoy the weekends and spend lots of quality life with friends and family.
Gwatoh Kroma: In Atlanta, it’s very difficult to travel around the city without a car. This seems to be common in many American cities. I started living in the city of Atlanta about 10 years ago and continue to live in the city. I am in the city to be close to work and friends where the need for a car is minimal. To European readers this is something you may be used to, but the public transportation in Atlanta is very underdeveloped. From the center of the city, the train travels only about 20-30 miles N/S/E/W.
What is the best thing about USA?
Andreas Hansen: As work is a very central part of my experience and life in the US, I would have to say the fact that there is no “Jantelov”. When one does great at work, projects or just daily tasks, one is rewarded and appreciated. If I do a project really well, get a promotion or a large bonus, my colleagues are there patting my back and say “good work”. There are few to no people standing in the corner whispering “who does he think he is” or “don’t think you are better than the rest of us”…
Gwatoh Kroma: One word…..OPPORTUNITY
What is the worst thing about USA?
Andreas Hansen: As people get rewarded for hard work there are also a lot of people left behind. Coming from a country like Denmark it is hard to see some people struggling to make ends meet. But on the bright side, I believe the vast majority of these people still have the chance to make it big if they truly wished and were willing to work for it… and that fact makes it bearable to live with.
Gwatoh Kroma: Race relations. The division was on the surface; however it’s now the elephant in the room. Everyone knows its there but don’t acknowledge.
What would you recommend other who plans to move to USA?
Andreas Hansen: Make sure you establish a network that can assist you with challenges. As the majority of foreign people you meet will have been in the same position as you there are plenty of people willing to help and assist… but its up to the individual to ask and to get contact established. If you have a good plan and a good network (with the chance of me now sounding terribly cliché) there is no end to the possibilities.
Gwatoh Kroma: I recommend coming with an open mind. So many people come to the US for many different reasons, but the one thing we have in common is the want for something MORE!! Knowledge, Fun, Love…..
